How many days in Venice do you really need?
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How many days do you really need in Venice? It’s a small city, but don’t be fooled. Seeing it properly takes time!
With only one day, you’ll rush through the highlights and miss Venice at its best: sunrise, sunset, and the quiet magic of the canals at night, when the crowds are gone and the palaces reflect on the water in total silence.
Two days give you a little more breathing room while three days let you see the famous sights, explore hidden corners, and take a day trip to Murano and Burano.
Every trip is different, so let me help you decide how many days you need in Venice.
How many days do you need to visit Venice?
At minimum, you need one full day to see Venice’s highlights like St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, the Grand Canal, and maybe a romantic gondola ride.
But let’s be real: one day is rushed, especially in peak season. Most people I know who didn’t love Venice or found it underwhelming only visited as a day trip.
If you’re just here for a few hours, you’ll miss the best part: Venice at sunrise, sunset, and after dark, when the crowds disappear and the city really starts feeling like a dream. I promise you, it’s nothing like what you’ll experience during the busy hours around lunchtime.
Staying longer lets you see a quieter, more romantic side of Venice, with hidden corners and peaceful canals away from what most tourists visit. Venice is not just romance, it also has a moody, mysterious vibe that you won’t be able to see if you only visit as a day trip.
I highly recommend staying at least 2 days and 1 night, but 3 days and 2 nights is even better. That way, you can visit the must-see spots without rushing, experience la dolce vita in Venice, and even explore Murano and Burano, two amazing islands perfect for a day trip.
Still unsure? Here’s what to consider when deciding how many days you need. 👇
Things to consider when deciding how many days you need
Is this your first time in Venice?
If it is, you’ll want at least one full day to visit the main highlights: St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, the Grand Canal, and take a gondola ride. But one day is rushed, especially in peak season.
Staying at least one night is ideal so you have two full days to explore without feeling like you’re racing through.
Are you interested in museums and historical sites?
If the answer is yes, you’ll need more than a day—one day just isn’t enough.
Venice has some incredible museums, and how long you stay depends on how deep you want to go. The must-sees are Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica, but if you’re really into history, consider the Secret Itineraries guided tour at Doge’s Palace. It gives you access to hidden rooms and lasts about 1 hour 15 minutes. Last time we did it the standard visit took around 1.5 hours, so if you do both, plan for at least three hours total.
Then there’s the Peggy Guggenheim Collection with some of the most important modern art in Italy. And if you love architecture and design, don’t skip Negozio Olivetti—a hidden gem in St. Mark’s Square that most tourists miss. It’s the original 1950s showroom of Olivetti, an iconic Italian company known for its innovative typewriters and early computers.
Another amazing hidden gem is Scala Contarini del Bovolo. It’s a beautiful palace with an external staircase that leads up to amazing views of the city.
If you’re visiting during the Venice Biennale (art or architecture), plan at least a full day just for that.
So, if you want to visit Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and Scala Contarini del Bovolo, plus some wandering around and a gondola ride, two days is a good amount of time. If you also want to see the Biennale or explore lesser-known spots like Negozio Olivetti, make it three.
Doge’s Palace interiors View from inside the Bridge of Sighs
Do you want to visit nearby islands like Murano and Burano?
You absolutely should. No visit to Venice is complete without these two islands in my opinion!
Murano is famous for its glassmaking, while Burano is one of the most colorful towns in Italy, it’s literally a dream for photographers. I’ve visited countless times and love it so much. You’ll have one instagram opportunity after another, I promise!
You can visit both in one full day, so if you’re planning to explore Venice and Murano/Burano, you’ll need at least 2 days, but 3 is honestly much better. I did it in two days once but it was so rushed we never really had time to slow down and really enjoy the trip!
What’s your travel pace, quick sightseeing or slow wandering?
I’m a slow traveler—I love taking photos, my boyfriend loves history, and we spend way too much time reading every sign in museums or stopping for pictures. If you’re like us, you’ll want to plan extra time to just soak in the atmosphere and enjoy the little moments.
If you prefer a relaxed trip, one day is too short. Stay at least 2 days, 3 if you also want to visit Murano and Burano. But honestly, you could easily spend 4+ days here without getting bored.
Do you want to avoid crowds?
If you do, stay longer. Venice is quiet early in the morning and late at night, but during the day, St. Mark’s Square and Rialto become crazy busy.
If you hate crowds, you’ll need at least 2–3 nights so you can explore at the best times: early morning and evening.
This is especially true if you want to take photos at sunrise or sunset. One day won’t be enough if you’re trying to avoid the busiest hours.
What time of year are you visiting?
Spring/Summer (peak season): Everything moves slower. Attractions have long lines, walking from point A to B takes forever, and without skip-the-line tickets, you’ll waste time standing around. Plan for extra time if visiting in these months.
Fall/winter (low season): The city is quieter, cheaper, and easier to navigate. You’ll need less time to get around and see attractions.
Will you be staying in Venice or outside the city?
If you stay in the city center, 2 days and 1 night might be enough. If you stay in Mestre or on another island (like Murano or Burano), stay at least 2 nights because you’ll lose time on transportation.
Sample itineraries for spending 1, 2, 3 or more days in Venice
These itineraries give you an idea of how much you can realistically see in 1, 2, or 3 days, but Venice isn’t a one-size-fits-all destination. If you love slow travel, want to take your time in museums, or plan to visit Biennale Arte or Architettura, you’ll need more time. Anyway, Venice is always worth it!
👉 Check the things to consider section above to see what matters most to you and adjust these itineraries to fit your travel style.
1 day in Venice: a quick taste
If you only have one day and it’s your first trip you can see the main highlights, but be prepared for a fast-paced visit.
I’ve written a detailed itinerary about how to spend a day in Venice, but here’s a summary of what you can realistically see and do in one day:
- Visit St. Mark’s square and basilica
- Visit Doge’s Palace
- See the Bridge of Sighs and walk along Riva degli Schiavoni
- Take a Gondola ride
- Admire the Grand Canal from Rialto Bridge and Ponte dell’Accademia
- Get lost in Venice’s calli (alleys).
- Before you leave, stop at a bacaro for some cicchetti and a glass of wine like a local.
It’s going to be a packed and rushed day and you won’t have time to explore beyond the main highlights, but if this is all the time you have, it’s still worth it!
2 days in Venice: first-timer’s essentials
Two days give you just enough time to experience Venice beyond the tourist hotspots, whether that means exploring hidden corners of the city or taking a day trip to its famous islands.
On your first day, follow the one-day itinerary to see Venice’s most famous landmarks. On your second day, you have two options:
Option 1: 2 days in the city
Spend both days in Venice itself, visiting extra museums and hidden gems at a more relaxed pace. On your second day, you can:
- View the sunrise from Ponte dell’Accademia
- Visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection or Gallerie dell’Accademia
- Climb Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo for a unique view over the rooftops
- Explore Negozio Olivetti, a hidden design and architecture gem in St. Mark’s Square
- Walk across Ponte dei Carmini
- Explore Cannaregio, one of Venice’s most charming districts
- End the day with aperitivo at Terrazza Danieli or St. Regis Hotel for a spritz with some of the most beautiful views over venice at sunset
Option 2: 1 day in Venice, 1 day on the islands
Dedicate one day to Venice and one full day to Murano and Burano islands:
- Murano is famous for its glassmaking tradition and you can visit workshops and watch artisans at work. I was last there during Carnival 2025, and it was so interesting!
- Burano is one of my favorite places in Italy. It’s famous for its super colorful houses and the lace making tradition. I mentioned it before but it really is a photographer’s dream. Every corner is an amazing street photo opportunity.
You can visit both islands in one full day and return to Venice for the evening.
Three Days in Venice: the ideal balance
If you have three days in Venice, you’ve got the perfect amount of time to experience the city without feeling rushed. You’ll see the famous landmarks, explore hidden gems, and have time to slow down and enjoy the real Venice, the one most tourists miss!
Here’s how you can make the most of your three days:
-
Day 1: Classic highlights.
Follow the one-day itinerary, visiting St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Bridge, the Grand Canal, and more. It’ll be a busy day, but you’ll tick off Venice’s biggest must-sees.
Take a stroll after dinner, Venice is so quiet, moody and magic at night. It feels like a completely different city! -
Day 2: Museums, hidden Gems and local spots
Wake up early to see Venice without crowds around sunrise. Then, visit Peggy Guggenheim Collection or Gallerie dell’Accademia, Climb Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo for stunning views over Venice’s rooftops, Discover Negozio Olivetti, Wander through Cannaregio and finish with an aperitivo at Terrazza Danieli or St. Regis Hotel, for the best sunset views. -
Day 3: Murano & Burano
Take a day trip to the nearby islands
Why is 3 days the ideal balance for most people?
Because it gives you time to actually understand Venice. You’ll visit the main sights, experience the quiet, romantic side of the city, and explore beyond the obvious.
Most people who find Venice overrated or too crowded probably only spent a single day here. Three days let you see what makes it truly magical.
If you have more than three days in Venice
If you know from my tips above that you prefer slow travel, love museums, or just want to take your time, you can stretch the three-day itinerary over four or five days. This way, you’ll have more time to wander, deep dive into museums, enjoy long lunches, and explore at a relaxed pace.
Additionally, if you’re visiting Biennale Arte or Architettura, set aside a full day. You could also explore Castello, Giudecca, and hidden galleries, or take a day trip to Padua, Verona, the Dolomites or the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano – Valdobbiadene.
Venice isn’t a place to rush through, if you have extra time, use it to experience the city without a checklist. You won’t regret it!
Prosecco hills near Conegliano at sunset 
Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Dolomites
How to make the most of your limited time
Stay in the city center to save time
If you only have one night in Venice, staying in the city center is the best way to maximize your time because getting around Venice is so much slower than in other cities!
There are no cars, no buses, no metro, just boats. You can either walk (which is always the best way to explore Venice) or take a vaporetto (public water bus). There are also private water taxis, but they’re very expensive.
If you’re staying for more than one night, you can consider cheaper and quieter areas outside the city center, but be mindful of the travel time. Google Maps is reliable for walking times and vaporetto schedules, but in high season vaporetto will often take longer then what Google Maps says because of the long lines to board.
The best districts if you have limited time are San Marco, Dorsoduro, San Polo and Cannaregio.
Book tickets in advance to skip long lines
If you don’t want to spend hours in line (and I’m not exaggerating, it’s literally hours), book tickets ahead of time for St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. In spring, summer, and during Carnival, the lines are brutal, but even in low season, advance tickets save you precious time.
Get your skip-the-line tickets here!
If it’s your first time in Venice, I’d go for a guided tour. You’ll skip the lines, learn all the stories, and see both St. Mark’s Basilica (with terrace access) and the Doge’s Palace in about 3 hours with a super skilled guide.
If you prefer to explore on your own, you can book skip-the-line tickets without a guide for St. Mark’s Basilica here and Doge’s Palace here.
Getting around: vaporetto vs. walking
Venice is best explored on foot. It’s not a huuuge city, and most places are within walking distance. I personally only take the vaporetto for visiting other islands in the venetian lagoon because, well… I have to 😂
Vaporetto tickets are expensive (€9.50 for a single ride, €25 for a day pass), and the boats get extremely crowded in peak season. Before buying a ticket, check Google Maps because most of the time walking takes just as long or even less, and you’ll save money.
By the way Venice’s beauty is in its hidden corners, and you’ll miss those if you rely too much on boats!
5 Mistakes first-time visitors make when planning time in Venice
1. Thinking Venice is small and easy to get around
Venice isn’t huge, but navigating it isn’t as simple as other European cities. Since there are no cars and public transport in the city center is by boat (vaporetto), walking is usually the best way to get around.
But that also means getting from one place to another takes longer than you’d expect, especially when the streets are packed with tourists.
Which leads me to the second mistake…
2. Booking a hotel in the wrong area and wasting time on transport
Since vaporettos don’t go everywhere (the city is full of canals but they don’t reach every single street), you’ll end up walking more than you think.
If you have limited time in Venice and don’t want to spend half of it commuting, choosing the right hotel is absolutely key to having a great trip.
Staying in Giudecca, Murano, or Burano might sound tempting because they have cheaper prices, great views, and nice hotels, but you’ll lose too much time (and money) getting to the main sights. If you’re on a tight schedule, I recommend skipping them.
The best areas to stay are:
- San Marco: the most central, but very crowded and expensive
- Dorsoduro: great location, quieter, local feel (my favorite area)
- San Polo: central, close to Rialto, slightly less busy than San Marco
- Cannaregio: a great mix of location and local charm, there are many cool bars and stores around here
My favorite place to stay is Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace ❤️
It’s beautiful, historic, and in a perfect location in Dorsoduro: just a 20-minute walk to St. Mark’s, 2 minutes from two vaporetto stops, and 3 minutes from Ponte dell’Accademia. It’s a 15th-century gothic palace that was once the residence of the daughter of Doge Agostino Barbarigo, so you’ll spend the night in a real historic venetian palace.
When I stayed there, I loved how it felt central but still peaceful and the service was amazing and super welcoming.
3. Underestimating how crowded and slow-moving Venice can be
If you’re visiting during the peak season like summer or during carnival, be prepared because Venice gets absolutely packed during the day.
I was there during Carnival, and Rialto was so crowded that walking at a normal pace was impossible. In high season, expect that just getting from one attraction to another will take longer than usual.
4. Not allowing extra time for getting lost (because you will!)
Venice’s streets are a maze and even when you think you know where you’re going, there’s a good chance you’ll hit a canal with no bridge and have to backtrack. More than once, we thought “this must be the right way” and technically, it was, except we forgot to check if there was a bridge on Google Maps. Oops.
5. Spending hours in line at St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace
I already mentioned this, but it’s worth repeating 😂 Don’t forget to book your tickets in advance!
Venice is beautiful, but waiting in line for hours when you could be exploring? No, thanks.
FAQs
How much time do you really need in Venice?
To truly experience Venice, three days is ideal. This gives you time to visit the main attractions, explore hidden gems, and take a day trip to Murano and Burano. If you’re short on time, two days is the minimum to see the highlights without feeling rushed. A day trip is doable, but you’ll only scratch the surface.
Is one day in Venice enough?
Yes and no. One day in Venice lets you see the main highlights, like St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Bridge, and a gondola ride, but it will feel packed and a bit overwhelming, especially in peak season. You’ll miss the quiet magic of Venice at sunrise and sunset. If possible, stay at least one night to really experience the best of the city.
Can you visit Venice as a day trip?
Yes, Venice can be visited as a day trip, but you’ll only have time for the main landmarks like St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and Rialto Bridge and maybe a gondola ride. You’ll miss the quiet charm of the city at sunrise and sunset, and navigating the crowds can be exhausting. If possible, stay at least one night.
Is three days in Venice too much?
No! Three days in Venice is the perfect amount of time for most travelers.
It lets you see the main attractions, explore quieter neighborhoods, and visit Murano and Burano without feeling rushed. If you love slow travel, photography, or museums, you could easily spend even longer and still find plenty to enjoy.
What’s the best time of year to visit?
As most of Italy, the best time to visit Venice is spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) when the weather is pleasant and crowds are more manageable. Summer is hot, packed, and expensive.
Carnival in February is magical but extremely busy, if you’re ok with finding crowds, it’s an incredibly fun time to visit Venice. Personally, I love carnival even if it’s crowded, it’s part of the experience!
Winter is quieter and cheaper, great if you don’t mind cooler temperatures and occasional floods (acqua alta).
More tips to help you plan your trip to Venice
Now you know how many days you really need to enjoy Venice without rushing (and without spending the whole time stuck in crowds).
If you’re still planning your trip, here’s more helpful info:
Need help planning your Italy trip? 🇮🇹
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If you just need quick advice, you can also book a call on its own for itinerary feedback and travel tips from a local.
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